Prenatal diagnosis of fetal nephrolithiasis

Fetal nephrolithiasis: What do we know so far?

Fetal nephrolithiasis is a rare, benign condition that seems to be predominantly unilateral, more common in males, and can be associated with urinary tract pathology.

Antenatal urolithiasis: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Although pediatric urolithiasis is an established entity, its antenatal diagnosis is rare. We hereby report a case detected at 20 weeks gestation and discuss the etiopathogenesis, predisposition, and surveillance following intervention.

CASE REPORT

A 2-year-old girl with left renal pelvic calculus detected antenatally at 20 weeks was evaluated. Left hydronephrosis, obstructive pelvic calculus with a decrease in differential renal function on ethylene dicysteine (EC) renogram was confirmed. The metabolic workup was normal. Following stone extraction by left pyelolithotomy, a left ureteropelvic junction obstruction secondary to a mucosal valve was apparent which was excised and left pyeloplasty was done. Stone analysis revealed 100% cystine. Differential renal function and drainage improved post-surgery. The child, however, did not have a follow-up in the interim and presented with a recurrent stone one and a half years later.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of antenatal urolithiasis ensures continued follow-up, evaluation for metabolic disorders, and associated structural defects, especially with increasing stone size and increasing hydronephrosis. This helps in timely intervention and continued surveillance.

Foetal Ureteric Calculus Producing Hydronephrosis and Hydroureter

Dilatation of foetal urinary collecting system is common. But cause of obstruction, if any, arise from soft tissues or developmental abnormalities of urinary tract or other paradox. A prenatal diagnosis of a 'calculus' inside ureter producing obstruction and ultimate back pressure changes in collecting system of a foetus is not reported so far. Other than inborn error of metabolism, what aetiological factors lead to this, are a matter of concern and great research. Here kidneys are not dysplastic. Amniotic fluid volume remains normal. Antenatal administration of calcium either orally or parenterally could be a contributory factor as it promotes nephrocalcinosis; and uretric calculus has it's origin in kidneys as believed. There is no maternal symptom related to this entity. Here we report a unique case of foetal ureterolithiasis producing hydroureter and hydronephrosis.

Nephrolithisis in a newborn: a rare case and review of literature

Nephrolithiasis, although a common entity in adults, is less common in children and rare in newborns. The evaluation and management strategies of renal stones in neonates are unclear. We report a rare scenario of renal calculus in a newborn aged 3 days presenting with decreased urine output, fever and crying during micturition. Patient was thoroughly investigated and managed conservatively. Further follow-up showed increase in stone size with recurrent urinary tract infections, hence shock wave lithotripsy was performed to successfully break and clear the stone fragments. Patient recovered well and was doing fine until last follow-up.

Urinary stone disease in the first year of life: is it dangerous?

PURPOSE

We have evaluated the clinical, radiological and metabolic features of infantile urolithiasis (UL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We have reviewed the medical records of 93 children who were diagnosed as having UL before 1 year of age. We recorded patient demographics, the age at diagnosis, presenting symptoms, family history, the localizations and dimensions of stones, urinary metabolic examinations, as well as physical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. Our secondary objective was to compare some features of this group with those of older children with UL followed-up in the same clinic which were previously reported.

RESULTS

We evaluated 93 children referred to our pediatric nephrology clinics. A family history of UL was 56.2 % in the study group. Resolution of stones was observed in 30.1 % of the cases. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) were detected in 65.9 % of females and 46.2 % of males. At least one urinary metabolic abnormality was found in 79.5 % of all the children. Most commonly seen metabolic abnormality was hypercalciuria. In all patients stones were located in kidneys except one infant who had an ureteral stone together with a kidney stone. Fifteen (16.1 %) children had an accompanying systemic disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Among pediatric urinary stone diseases infantile UL can be regarded as a separate clinical entity. Coexistence of systemic disorders and anatomic anomalies at high frequencies may indicate a role of distinct pathogenetic mechanisms. In addition, high rates of UTIs and metabolic abnormalities in this age group justify screening for these parameters during follow-up of these children.

Urolithiasis in infants

There are few publications about urolithiasis of the new born baby and infant (UNI). The UNI represents 20% of the pediatric urolithiasis. The etiologies in this age group are chiefly dominated by the urinary-tract infections and metabolic abnormalities. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of infant urolithiasis and to define the various treatment modalities adapted to this age group.

Antenatal diagnosis of fetal renal calculus

Pediatric urolithiasis is commonly associated with structural renal tract anomalies and metabolic disorders. Antenatal diagnosis of renal calculi is extremely rare, with only one report in the literature. We present a case of renal stone formation diagnosed at 34 weeks' gestation on ultrasound examination.